GES

22 April 2026

10 items from official sources

Election seizures cross Rs 1,000 crore in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal

Polity

The Election Commission reported that seizures for the 2026 General Elections and bye-elections surpassed Rs 1,000 crore in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The update is relevant for money power, MCC enforcement and election expenditure monitoring.

Election Commission of IndiaPrelims: ECI enforcement | Mains: GS II - Electoral reforms, money power in elections

Prime Minister Internship Scheme eligibility expanded

Schemes

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs expanded eligibility for the Prime Minister Internship Scheme to include final-year graduate and post-graduate students. The change broadens access to work exposure and industry-linked skilling.

Ministry of Corporate AffairsPrelims: PM Internship Scheme | Mains: GS II - Skill development, youth employment

Revised TDIP guidelines released to strengthen telecom technology development

Science

The Communications Ministry released revised guidelines for the Technology Development and Investment Promotion Scheme. The update is relevant for telecom R&D, domestic manufacturing, digital infrastructure and India's global telecom footprint.

Ministry of CommunicationsPrelims: TDIP scheme | Mains: GS III - Telecom, technology development

Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026 released

Polity

MeitY released the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026. The rules are relevant for digital regulation, online harms, innovation, consumer protection and the governance architecture for emerging digital sectors.

Ministry of Electronics and ITPrelims: online gaming rules | Mains: GS II - Digital governance, GS III - Digital economy

Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary declared India's 99th Ramsar site

Environment

The Environment Ministry announced Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary as India's 99th Ramsar site, raising Uttar Pradesh's tally to 12. The item is important for wetland conservation, migratory birds and India's Ramsar network.

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate ChangePrelims: Ramsar sites, Shekha Jheel | Mains: GS III - Biodiversity conservation

Atal Pension Yojana gross enrolments cross 9 crore

Schemes

The Finance Ministry announced that Atal Pension Yojana gross enrolments crossed the 9 crore milestone. The scheme is relevant for social security coverage, informal workers and pension inclusion.

Ministry of FinancePrelims: APY, pension schemes | Mains: GS II - Welfare, social security

9th India International Water Week launched

Environment

The Jal Shakti Ministry launched the 9th India International Water Week, India's flagship global water event. It is relevant for water security, international cooperation, basin management and sustainable water governance.

Ministry of Jal ShaktiPrelims: India International Water Week | Mains: GS II - Water governance, GS III - Resources

India adds 6.1 GW wind energy capacity in 2025-26

Environment

The New and Renewable Energy Ministry said India recorded historic growth in wind energy with 6.1 GW addition in 2025-26. The update is relevant for renewable capacity, clean energy targets and grid transition.

Ministry of New and Renewable EnergyPrelims: wind energy | Mains: GS III - Renewable energy, climate mitigation

India's textile exports register 2.1 percent growth in FY 2025-26

Economy

The Textiles Ministry reported 2.1 percent growth in India's textile exports during FY 2025-26. The item is relevant for labour-intensive manufacturing, export competitiveness, MSMEs and value-chain policy.

Ministry of TextilesPrelims: textile exports | Mains: GS III - Manufacturing, employment

Earth Sciences Ministry calls for climate justice on Earth Day 2026

Environment

The Ministry of Earth Sciences celebrated Earth Day 2026 and called for climate justice and equitable sustainability. The item is relevant for climate governance, adaptation, ocean-atmosphere science and equity in sustainability transitions.

Ministry of Earth SciencesPrelims: Earth Day | Mains: GS III - Climate change, environmental justice